Blaze, blasts reported at California refinery

Plumes of smoke rise from the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California, on Monday, August 6, 2012.

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A series of explosions and fire at an oil refinery in Richmond, California, have sent columns of thick black smoke into the air and forced local residents to stay in their homes.
The blaze, raging on for two and a half hours after breaking out, began at around 6:15 p.m. local time on Monday at No. 4 crude unit of Chevron Corp’s refinery.
Chevron said in a statement that one person has sustained only minor injury at the refinery.
According to authorities, the plant accounts for almost one-eighth of the state's refining capacity and therefore there are serious concerns that gasoline prices could go up in case of prolonged disruption in the facility’s production process.
The nearby residents have also been provided shelter to avoid exposure to dangerous chemicals or smoke.
California Emergency Management Agency has reported that sulfuric acid and nitrogen dioxide were released during the incident.
We are “very disappointed that this happened, and apologize that we are inconveniencing our neighbors,” said Chevron spokesman Walt Gill.
The refinery has often been censured for environmental issues.
MR/HN/HJL